Goodwin, Martin-Jenkins rescue Sussex

Murray Goodwin made Derbyshire pay a high price for dropping him as he and Robin Martin-Jenkins scored centuries to rescue Sussex at Derby. Goodwin was missed at slip on 15 and went on to his 43rd first-class hundred for the county while Martin-Jenkins made the fifth of his career.

The pair shared a stand of 225, Sussex's highest ever against Derbyshire, after the home side had reduced them to 126 for 6 with Tom Lungley taking three early wickets. But Goodwin's escape and some indisciplined bowling allowed Sussex to mount a recovery that took them to 371 for 8 at the close.

It was a score that looked a long way off when Lungley sliced through the top order after Sussex had elected to bat on a sultry day when there was movement and bounce for the bowlers. Michael Yardy drove too soon at Lungley to be caught at mid-off for eight in the third over, Chris Nash played on and Ed Joyce was smartly taken at second slip by Chesney Hughes to leave the visitors in trouble at 30 for 3.

They should have lost a fourth wicket on 43 when Goodwin edged Lungley to first slip, but the ball hit Wayne Madsen in the chest. Derbyshire were still well on top when Michael Thornely edged a drive at Mark Footitt and Sussex lost two more wickets after lunch. Luke Wright was bowled for 20 leaving a ball from Robin Peterson and when Ben Brown bottom edged a pull into his stumps, Sussex were still well short of a batting point.

But that proved to be Derbyshire's last success until deep into the last session as Goodwin and Martin-Jenkins played with increasing freedom against bowling that strayed too often in line and length.

Martin-Jenkins is retiring after 15 years to take up teaching later this summer and will leave a big hole in a Sussex side bidding to regain their Division One status at the first attempt.
They are now in a handy position in this game thanks to the tall allrounder and Goodwin, who celebrated their hundreds in quick succession after tea. Goodwin's 15th four took him to three figures and a 16th four from Martin-Jenkins brought him his hundred off only 124 balls.

Steffan Jones finally broke through three overs later when Goodwin edged a drive into his leg stump after batting a minute short of five hours for 121. Martin-Jenkins was dropped at backward point off Jones on 128 but added only two more before he was caught in the same position off the Welsh paceman.

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